Vehicle interaction communication system

ABSTRACT

The information available to a driver of a vehicle is greatly expanded using wireless communications (e.g., using Bluetooth wireless communication devices). In one embodiment, information regarding an adjacent vehicle such as a brake light, a turn light, speed, distance, direction, etc., is transmitted from one vehicle to a nearby or adjacent other vehicle. The received information is used in any appropriate manner, such as causing the receiving vehicle to change vehicle speed or brake, to turn to avoid a collision, etc. In a second embodiment, roadside wireless transceivers collect information regarding passing vehicles, and central database is compiled relating to a traffic conditions. The traffic condition information can be passed back to the passing vehicles for appropriate use, e.g., causing the driver to slow down, or even causing a navigation device in the receiving vehicle to manually prompt for or automatically recalculate a best route to an intended destination. In yet another embodiment, broadcast transmitters can be established at signs and other significant locations transmitting information to passing vehicles. The broadcast information may be as simple as indicating the existence of the sign, or depending upon the range of the particular wireless transmitter, the existence of a particular sign, bump in road, curve, etc., can be forewarned far in advance of when the driver will actually see the relevant object. Alternatively, the broadcast information may be quite detailed, e.g., containing a detailed itemization and directions to a large number of gas stations, restaurants, etc., reachable from a particular exit from a highway.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to the improved safety of vehiclesderived from wireless communications, either from vehicle to vehicle,and/or between a roadside device and a vehicle.

2. Background of Related Art

In today's vehicles, communications between automobiles is typicallyaccomplished using visual confirmation of external signals (e.g., leftturn signal light blinking, right turn signal light blinking, brakelight illuminated, etc.) Imminent danger is often signaled by the use ofan audible horn. While quite functional, the reception and accurateinterpretation of visual and/or audible signals is dependent entirely onthe awareness of the driver at the time that the signals are made.Unfortunately, the requirement for human interpretation and confirmationthrough visual (or audible) observation requires that a given separationbe maintained between vehicles at any given speed to allow for acomfortable reaction time of the driver. Thus, visual confirmation ofsignals such as brake lights, of the separation between vehicles infront, behind, and to the sides of the vehicle, road signs, etc., areall subject to the accuracy and speed of human reaction. Any level ofinattention can cause accidents in the worst case, or cause traffic jamsin a collective case.

For instance, there may be times when a particular driver is not fullyperceptive of the external environment surrounding the vehicle, and mayas a result either become dangerously close to other vehicles, and/orgreatly increase the chances of their causing an accident.

As an example, a driver may not see or properly comprehend theintentions of a tailgating vehicle following too closely behind thedriver's vehicle when the tailgating vehicle starts their left turnsignal signaling their intention to pass in a left hand lane. The drivermay not quickly assess such a situation, e.g., perhaps because of theambiguity inherent with whether the following vehicle is making a leftturn or intends to pass, perhaps because the driver's rear view mirroris not properly adjusted for the driver's current seated position, orbecause the driver is not constantly monitoring their rearview mirror,etc. In any event, the driver may in fact become startled by theappearance of the passing vehicle or worse yet unintentionally make amaneuver which interferes with the passing vehicle and causes anaccident, increased separation between vehicles traveling on a commonroad to compensate for slower reaction time of the driver, and/orsignificant traffic problems particularly during work rush hours.

Not only is a driver subject to their own visual confirmation of signalsfrom vehicles immediately surrounding their vehicle and their ownreaction thereto, a driver may also be heading towards a heavy trafficsituation without prior warning but for other visual confirmation (e.g.,a visual road sign warning of traffic ahead), all of which add to thedensity and danger of vehicular travel in today's crowded and fast-pacedworld.

There is a need to improve the speed and accuracy of information to adriver regarding surrounding vehicles, objects, and/or trafficconditions, and to allow safer and more efficient use of roadways.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a vehicleinteraction communication system comprises a wireless transmitter, and adigitized measurement of an operational aspect of a moving vehicle. Acontroller formats the digitized measurement and transmits the formatteddigitized measurement using the wireless transmitter to a deviceexternal to a vehicle including the vehicle interaction communicationsystem.

A method of communicating status information between moving vehicles inaccordance with another aspect of the present invention comprisesmeasuring an operational aspect of a first vehicle in operation on aroadway. A local area network is established including the firstvehicle. The measured operational aspect is transmitted over the localarea network.

A method of compiling real-time traffic data from moving vehicles inaccordance with yet another aspect of the present invention comprisesmeasuring internal vehicle data relating to an operational aspect of avehicle in operation on a roadway from within a vehicle traveling on theroadway. A temporary network is established with a fixed transceiver.The measured internal vehicle data is transmitted to the fixedtransceiver over the temporary network. The measured internal vehicledata is compiled from a plurality of vehicles as real-time traffic data.

Still another aspect of the present invention relates to a road mountedtransmitter comprising a fixed value relating to a current speed limit.An RF transmitter transmits the fixed value to passing vehicles.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to apparatus comprisinga vehicle, and a wireless communication system within the vehicle. Thewireless communication system comprises a wireless transmitter, adigitized measurement of an operational aspect of a moving vehicle, anda controller adapted to format the digitized measurement, and transmitthe formatted digitized measurement using the wireless transmitter to anexternal device.

A method of controlling a vehicle in accordance with yet another aspectof the present invention comprises establishing a local area network. Anoperational aspect of a vehicle is received over the local area network.A driver control of the vehicle is adjusted based on the receivedoperational aspect of the vehicle.

A system for communicating with a passing vehicle on a roadway inaccordance with another aspect comprises a wireless transmitter havingan antenna in a vicinity of a roadway sign, and sign identification datafor transmission by the wireless transmitter relating to informationcontained on the roadway sign.

A method for informing a moving vehicle regarding an approaching roadwaysign in accordance with another aspect comprises establishing a localarea network with an approaching vehicle, and transmitting informationregarding information contained in a roadway sign which the vehicle isapproaching.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art from the following description with referenceto the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a plurality of vehicles each equipped with a wirelessvehicle interaction and control system to communicate status informationregarding a transmitting vehicle, in accordance with the principles ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a depiction of the dashboard of any one of the vehiclesincluding a vehicle environment controller and a vehicle interactiondisplay, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of exemplary sensing, control and datainterfaces to a vehicle environment controller, in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows implementation of a broadcast wireless data transmitter atstrategic locations along a road (e.g., corresponding to stop signs,traffic signals, etc., temporarily establishing a piconet with anapproaching vehicle, in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 shows a traffic flow coordination system utilizing Bluetoothtransponders at various checkpoints along a road system, in accordancewith the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows the integration of traffic information received by avehicle environment controller with a navigational control system tocause, e.g., recalculation of a best route to an intended destinationbased on real-time traffic conditions including the driven vehicle, inaccordance with the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates generally to the expansion of informationavailable to a driver of a vehicle using wireless communications (e.g.,using Bluetooth wireless communication devices). Information regardingsurrounding vehicles (e.g., left turn, right turn, brake light, speed,direction, location) is brought directly into the compartment of thevehicle independent of the need for visual confirmation of the situationby the driver.

In one embodiment, a vehicle is equipped with a short-rangecommunication system, e.g., Bluetooth, which communicates relevantstatus information with other nearby vehicles, which may include, but isnot limited to, position (e.g., GPS), speed, direction, and/or statussuch as braking, measured slippage, acceleration, deceleration,direction of travel, etc.

Information regarding an adjacent vehicle such as a brake light, a turnlight, speed, distance, direction, etc., may be transmitted from onevehicle to a nearby or adjacent other vehicle. The received informationis used in any appropriate manner, such as causing the receiving vehicleto change vehicle speed or brake, to turn to avoid a collision, etc.

In a second embodiment, roadside wireless transceivers collectinformation regarding passing vehicles, and a central database compilesthe received information and relates it to current, real-time trafficconditions. The real-time traffic condition information can betransmitted back to the passing vehicles while they are in range of theroadside wireless transceivers for appropriate use by the drivenvehicle, e.g., causing the driver to slow down, or even causing anavigation device in the receiving vehicle to manually prompt forrecalculation of, or automatically recalculate without prompting, a bestroute to an intended destination.

In yet another embodiment, broadcast transmitters can be established atsigns and other significant locations transmitting data information topassing vehicles for display on a driver's console. The broadcastinformation may be as simple as indicating the existence of the sign,which would be particularly useful in a wooded or curvy portion ofhighway where the sign may be hidden due to overgrowth. Moreover,depending upon the range of the particular wireless transmitter, theexistence of a particular sign, bump in road, curve, etc., can beforewarned far in advance of when the driver will actually see therelevant object. Still further, the information received could bechecked against actual vehicle operation to check for driver compliance,and apply corrective action as necessary and/or desired. As an example,corrective action may include the application of brakes when the vehicleis approaching a curve or stop sign.

Alternatively, the broadcast information may be quite detailed, e.g.,containing a detailed itemization and directions to a large number ofgas stations, restaurants, etc., reachable from a particular exit from ahighway. In such a case, a driver might scroll through a textual displayof the received road data.

FIG. 1 shows a plurality of vehicles each equipped with a wirelessvehicle interaction and control system to communicate status informationregarding a transmitting vehicle, in accordance with the principles ofthe present invention.

In particular, in FIG. 1, three vehicles 102, 104, 106 are showntraveling along a common roadway 103, and temporarily establish awireless network using any appropriate wireless technology. For example,in the given embodiments, the three vehicles 102, 104, 106 form a localnetwork, such as a piconet using Bluetooth protocols and technology. Ofcourse, the principles of the present invention relate to anyappropriate short or medium range wireless technology and/or protocolsexchanged between moving vehicles.

Thus, in accordance with the principles of the present invention,Bluetooth or other short range RF communication systems areadvantageously, but not necessarily, integrated with status andnavigation sensing devices within each vehicle 102-106 and provide thesensed status information to the other appropriately equipped vehicleswithin range of the transmitting vehicle.

Preferably, the status information is updated and retransmittedperiodically, e.g., every 1 second, every ½ second, etc., once thevehicle begins operation or when a condition in the vehicle changes,such as brake application, etc. The status information is transmitted toadjacent vehicles and/or objects within range of the transmittingvehicle.

Information about the Bluetooth wireless standard is occasionallyrevised, and can currently be obtained from the websitewww.bluetooth.com. Currently, the Bluetooth standard is a short rangetechnology with a range of, e.g., 10-30 meters. However, longer rangecapabilities of this and other wireless standards are planned andapplicable to the present invention.

Generally speaking, the longer the wireless range of the transmittingdevices, the faster relative speeds between vehicles (or between avehicle and an object) may be accommodated. For instance, with a 10-30meter range, communications between vehicles traveling in a commondirection along a common road and nearby stationary transceivers may bethe most practical. However, using wireless transceivers in the vehicleswith larger range communications, e.g., ½ kilometer, communicationsbetween passing vehicles is more practical as well as with stationarytransceivers.

As shown in the given example of FIG. 1, two vehicles 102, 106 aretraveling in a left hand lane, and a third vehicle 104 is traveling in aright hand lane. Each of the vehicles 102-106 include a wireless vehicleenvironment controller 100 in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a depiction of the dashboard of any one of the vehicles102-106 including a vehicle environment controller 100 and a vehicleinteraction display 204, in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention.

In particular, in FIG. 2, a wireless vehicle environment controller 100includes a radio frequency (RF) transceiver front end including anantenna 207, an appropriate processor (e.g., a microprocessor,microcontroller, and/or digital signal processor (DSP)), andinput/output signals to various sensing and/or control interfaces withinthe vehicle, including a display 204.

The display 204 may be graphical and/or textual in nature, but in anyevent desirably conveys (but is not essential to convey) statusinformation received from an adjacent vehicle or object. As shown inFIG. 2, the display includes a graphical representation of the drivenvehicle, with other vehicles 102, 106 within range and within theestablished local network (e.g. piconet) in appropriate positions withrespect to the displayed image of the driven vehicle 104.

For instance, the display 204 shown in FIG. 2 may include a phantom of avehicle behind, of a vehicle ahead, of a vehicle to the left, and of avehicle to the right of the driver's vehicle, in moving relation to animage of the driven vehicle 104 in the center of the display. Inresponse to the reception of a wireless signal (e.g., Bluetooth data)from any or all of the surrounding vehicles, the display of the driversvehicle may be updated with a relative position of the relevantsurrounding vehicle. Other information such as imminent collision,relative speed between vehicles, direction with respect to the drivenvehicle, etc., can also be displayed.

Thus, as an example, if the driven vehicle receives Bluetooth data froma following vehicle indicating that it is exhibiting a left turn signaltogether with a closing distance and common direction, an appropriateprocessor (e.g., navigation system) in the driven vehicle can interpretsuch external actions as an intention to pass the driven vehicle, andcan so indicate the same to the driver (either by visual display on apanel, on a heads-up display projected onto the windshield, by audiblewarning, etc.). Thus, the driver would be informed of a passing vehiclewithout having seen the vehicle themselves, either in the mirror orthrough a window.

In accordance with the principles of this aspect of the invention, asidefrom positional status information determined from, e.g., globalpositioning system (GPS) information relating to the transmittingvehicle, other status information may be displayed. For instance, thetransmitting vehicle's speed, direction, acceleration, blinker status,braking status, etc., may additionally or alternatively be sensed by thetransmitting vehicle, transmitted in data form using the Bluetooth RFtransceiver from each of the vehicles, and displayed for the drivers ofthe in-range vehicles.

In a more sophisticated expansion of speed information transmitted to asurrounding vehicle, a new type of cruise control can be set to maintainthe same actual speed of the preceding vehicle as received throughBluetooth data communications from the vehicle in front, instead of to afixed speed as in conventional cruise control devices.

For instance, in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention, the status information from adjacent vehicles may be input toa cruise control device 210 in the driven vehicle 104. For instance, thespeed of a forward vehicle in a same lane as the driven vehicle may beused to base the cruise-controlled speed of the driven vehicle 104 in avariable manner such that a constant distance is maintained between acar in front of the driven vehicle 104 and the driven vehicle 104(rather than constant speed cruise control as in conventional vehicles).Further, the vehicle 104 may be fully controlled via steering controls310, accelerator control 314, braking control 316, and engine controls312, to provide safer vehicle (automatic) control. Using such automatedcruise control, a driver's confidence and safety may be increased byproviding a means other than simple visual observation and confirmationof changes in the forward vehicle's speed, causing an immediate changein spacing between the moving vehicles. In this way, more vehicles maybe packed into a given stretch of highway with smaller (yet safer)separation between each vehicle, still maintaining a same given level ofsafety because as a lead vehicle brakes, so too will a following vehicleusing the automated cruise control 210.

Detailed position information can also be provided, e.g., informationrelating to which lane is being occupied, as can vehicle performanceinformation.

Using the vehicle environment controller 100 in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention, vehicles can interact with oneanother to achieve a specific goal. The specific goal can be, e.g., bestspeed, high density, or other desired result.

In addition to general traffic flow information, emergency causinginformation and control may also be accomplished. For instance,information regarding braking communicated between vehicles would allowvehicles in a vulnerable position (e.g., behind or to the side of thebraking vehicles) to be immediately informed of the braking status,allowing a quick reaction by the driver of the affected vehicle tocompensate or apply emergency braking (based on acceleration data) tomaintain a desired separation between vehicles.

Because of the short range nature of low power wireless communicationssystems, such as Bluetooth, multiple mobile local networks betweenvehicles can be implemented to convey accurate, current road and trafficconditions to, e.g., rearward vehicles or to opposing traffic.

Inter-vehicle, short range, voice communication can also be provided.For instance, the Bluetooth wireless communication protocol includescapability for the transmission of audio. Thus, using the audiocapability and appropriate analog-to-digital and digital-to-analogconversion circuitry, and appropriate encoding and decoding algorithmsas desired in the vehicles, voice communications can be supportedbetween two vehicles certainly within a single local network, and evenbetween two separate vehicles via an appropriate local network bridgingdevice between two separate local networks.

Other advances can be made in vehicle safety given the wirelesscommunication (e.g., a piconet such as Bluetooth) between vehicles asthey become within range of one another on a particular road. Forinstance, the speed of a surrounding vehicle can be transmitted to othervehicles in range, to allow a driver to adjust their speed accordingly.In a simpler case, acceleration or deceleration information regardingthe vehicle in front, either in absolute terms and/or relative to thedriver's vehicle, can be indicated, e.g., using an UP arrow(accelerating) or DOWN arrow (decelerating).

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of exemplary sensing, control and datainterfaces to a vehicle environment controller 100, in accordance withthe principles of the present invention.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 3, various input/output devices areinterfaced with the vehicle environment controller 100, which receivesand transmits status data regarding interacting vehicles within range ofone another through a radio frequency (RF) transceiver 308.

For instance, various devices within the driven vehicle can be sensed,with a digital output being formatted using an appropriate protocol(e.g., Bluetooth) and transmitted using an RF wireless transmitter toall other vehicles within range. Exemplary devices for sensing include aspeedometer and/or odometer 302, a global positioning system (GPS) 306,often comprised within a navigational system in the driven vehicle. Acompass and/or gyroscope and acceleration (inertial navigation system)may be included as an alternative to the GPS 306, to provide usefulinformation to adjacent or otherwise in-range vehicles.

The GPS 306 may be included within the transmitting vehicle to provideexact location, direction and speed information. GPS information mayalso or alternatively be used to calibrate any inertial navigationsystems.

Status data received from other vehicles within the piconet (and/or fromroadside transceivers) can be appropriately displayed on a display 204(and/or audibly provided to the driver).

As described above, the speed of a cruise control system 210 can becontrolled in a variable fashion using speed information received from avehicle in front of the driven vehicle.

For safety purposes, critical controls of the vehicle may be overriddenas determined by the vehicle environment controller 100. For instance,the braking system 316, the accelerator control 314, and/or other enginecontrols 312, and even steering controls 310 may be enabled, disabled,or even variably controlled, based on information received from othervehicles.

A radar device may be included to allow a desired separation distancebetween fore/aft and/or side/side vehicles. The radar device may be ofthe traditional RF type. Alternatively, a Bluetooth transponder may beutilized to allow the measurement of round-trip delay times or receivedsignal strength indicator (RSSI) of the return signal to providerudimentary ranging information in lieu of a radar system.

FIG. 4 shows implementation of a broadcast wireless data transmitter atstrategic locations along a road (e.g., corresponding to stop signs,traffic signals, etc., temporarily establishing communication with anapproaching vehicle, in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention.

A simple use of Bluetooth communications in vehicular use is thecommunication of simple directional or sign information transmitted froma stationary roadside transmitter to passing vehicles when they becomewithin range.

For instance, there are times at which ambient or environmentalconditions (e.g., fog, nighttime, tree growth obstructing the sign,faded sign, etc.) cause difficulty in the visual confirmation of aparticular sign, road curve, etc. In accordance with this aspect of thepresent invention, critical signs, road aspects, objects, locations,etc., can be equipped with appropriate wireless short range broadcasttransmitters (e.g., Bluetooth transmitters), and repeatedly output datarelating to the relevant information (e.g., a stop sign ahead, turnahead, reduced speed, etc.)

In particular, as shown in FIG. 4, a vehicle including a vehicleenvironment controller 100 including an RF receiver, and a display 204,is shown approaching a stop sign 702 totally obstructed by a tree 704.Ordinarily, the driver of the vehicle might not actually observe thestop sign until they turn the corner around the tree 704. However, inaccordance with the principles of the present invention, datatransmitted by an appropriately placed Bluetooth (or other protocol) RFtransmitter 700 is received, processed, and provided to the driverusing, e.g., a display of a stop sign, textually indicating “stop sign”,or other technique in the driven vehicle.

As another example, a wireless data transmitter may be associated with aspeed limit sign. The wireless data transmitter may be placed in abroadcast mode for reception by any/all approaching and passingvehicles.

The speed limit information may be digitally received by approaching orpassing vehicles, and referred to at the driver's pleasure. Forinstance, if the driver was not cognizant of the last approached speedlimit sign as it was passed, the speed limit information may be retainedby the vehicle and presented to the driver when the driver is requiringsuch information.

The speed limit information retained by the vehicle may be refreshed bynew speed limit signs as they are passed.

In operation, the wireless data transmitter may be set near a speedlimit sign. Then, a particular speed limit of a roadway on which avehicle is traveling may be digitally received by the vehicle as itapproaches and passes a particular broadcast wireless data transmitter.The digitally received speed limit may be displayed in the vehicle forthe driver's reference.

Moreover, the digitally received speed limit may be the basis for aderivative display. For example, the difference between a current rateof speed of the approaching or passing vehicle and the relevant speedlimit for that stretch of roadway digitally received by the approachingor passing vehicle may be displayed for the driver's reference.

The difference between the current rate of speed may be used to controla governor which limits the rate of speed of the vehicle. Thus,automatic control of acceleration may be gained as a vehicle travelsover various roadways having differing speed limits.

Further advances may allow any driver control (e.g., braking,acceleration, steering, blinker activation, horn activation, etc.) to beautomatically adjusted based on information received over a wirelessnetwork, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a traffic flow coordination system utilizing transpondersat various checkpoints along a road system, in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention.

Short range transceivers along roadway can collect detailed vehiclestatus information from traveling vehicles, to provide traffic data backto traveling vehicles.

Exemplary status information includes, but is not limited to, lane,road, location, distance information. Exemplary transpondercommunication information includes, e.g., information regarding thesteered direction of a querying vehicle as it approaches or recedes fromthe embedded lane marker.

For instance, roadside transceivers may query passing vehicles forstatus information, e.g., speed, direction, route, etc., and compile thesame in a traffic database or other information compilation.

A centralized computer can collect all information from the passingvehicles to determine actual traffic conditions for relevant roadways.

The traffic information determined directly from passing vehicles can befed back to the same or other traveling vehicles, with suggestive orautomated navigation control information.

For instance, a navigation system in a passing vehicle may utilize thereceived traffic information to determine automated control informationfor aspects of the vehicle, e.g., to limit a maximum speed of thevehicle, or to provide speed adjustment data and/or alternativedirections to a destination, to maintain a smooth traffic pattern.

Also, information passed to the vehicles may relate to the suggestion ofan alternative route to be taken by the vehicle, with or withoutmandating specific maximum speeds or other aspects of the vehicle.

Such a navigation system aids in the administration of traffic flow,avoids the formation of traffic jams, and/or has the capability to routetraffic away from problem areas.

The roadside transceivers can also provide warning information tovehicles regarding approaching and overtaking emergency vehicles, sothat the vehicles may more readily be informed of the approachingemergency vehicle and yield to the oncoming emergency vehicle at anearlier time.

The roadside transceivers can also or alternatively provide a datadownload of traffic information to resident navigational computersinside vehicles, prompting the navigational computers to recalculate abest route to the desired destination given the current or expectedtraffic conditions. Alternatively, a centralized computer system cancalculate the best route (e.g., shortest time, shortest distance, bestviews, etc.) for a particular vehicle in view of the overall traffic‘picture’.

In accordance with the principles of this aspect of the presentinvention, vehicles can adapt quickly to the state of nearby vehicles.

FIG. 6 shows the integration of traffic information received by avehicle environment controller 100 with a GPS navigational controlsystem 202 to cause, e.g., recalculation of a best route to an intendeddestination presented by the GPS navigational control system 202 basedon real-time traffic conditions including the driven vehicle receivedfrom a roadside transponder, in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention.

In addition, a navigation computer in the vehicle can be responsive tosignals received from lane markers embedded in a roadway being traveled.The embedded lane markers may be passive devices which provideindication to the vehicle as to the relationship to the appropriate laneof roadway.

The embedded lane markers may be, e.g., optical devices and/orreflective devices sensed by an appropriate light source and/or detectormounted on the vehicle. In another embodiment, the embedded lane markersmay be, e.g., electromagnetic devices which output a particular signalin response to an electromagnetic stimulation output by the vehicle asit passes.

The embedded lane markers may be sensed by an appropriate lane sensor321 (FIG. 3) in communication with the vehicle environment controller100. The relationship of the vehicle with respect to the lane asdetermined by the lane sensor 321 may be used to keep the vehicle withinthe bounds of the lane and/or appropriately distant from adjacentvehicles.

Control of vehicle navigation in accordance with this aspect of thepresent invention provides for a more efficient regulation of trafficflow.

While the invention has been described with reference to the exemplaryembodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will be able to makevarious modifications to the described embodiments of the inventionwithout departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

1-27. (canceled)
 28. A road mounted transmitter, comprising: memorycomprising a fixed value relating to a current speed limit; and an RFtransmitter adapted to transmit said fixed value to passing vehicles.29. The road mounted transmitter according to claim 28, wherein: said RFtransmitter is adapted to establish a local area network with a passingvehicle.
 30. The road mounted transmitter according to claim 29,wherein: said local area network is a piconet.
 31. The road mountedtransmitter according to claim 28, wherein: said RF transmitter utilizesa Bluetooth protocol. 32-35. (canceled)
 36. A system for communicatingwith a passing vehicle on a roadway, comprising: a wireless transmitterhaving an antenna in a vicinity of a roadway sign; and signidentification data for transmission by said wireless transmitterrelating to information contained on said roadway sign.
 37. The systemfor communicating with a passing vehicle on a roadway according to claim36, wherein: said wireless transmitter includes a receiver; and saidwireless transmitter and receiver establishing a local area network withan approaching vehicle.
 38. The system for communicating with a passingvehicle on a roadway according to claim 36, wherein: said roadway signis a stop sign; and said data relates to a directive for an approachingvehicle to stop.
 39. The method for informing a moving vehicle regardingan approaching roadway sign according to claim 36, wherein: said roadwaysign is a speed limit sign; and said data relates to a speed directivefor an approaching vehicle.
 40. A method for informing a moving vehicleregarding an approaching roadway sign, comprising: establishing a localarea network with an approaching vehicle; and transmitting informationregarding information contained in a roadway sign which said vehicle isapproaching.
 41. The method for informing a moving vehicle regarding anapproaching roadway sign according to claim 40, further comprising:displaying in said approaching vehicle a relevant speed limit receivedover said local area network.
 42. The method for informing a movingvehicle regarding an approaching roadway sign according to claim 40,further comprising: displaying in said approaching vehicle a differencebetween a current rate of speed of said approaching vehicle and saidrelevant speed limit received over said local area network. 43.Apparatus for informing a moving vehicle regarding an approachingroadway sign, comprising: means for establishing a local area networkwith an approaching vehicle; and means for transmitting informationregarding information contained in a roadway sign which said vehicle isapproaching.
 44. A method for controlling a vehicle, comprising:establishing a wireless network between at least two moving vehicles;communicating at least one operational aspect of a first moving vehicleto a second, adjacent moving vehicle; automatically adjusting at leastone driver control of said first moving vehicle based on at least oneoperational aspect of said second, adjacent moving vehicle.
 45. Avehicle safety system, comprising: a wireless piconet transmitter totransmit a piconet signal to a second vehicle; a measurer to measure atleast one of a round-trip delay time of said piconet signal between saidfirst vehicle and said second vehicle, and a received signal strengthindicator (RSSI) from said second vehicle; and a rudimentary ranginginformation determiner to determine rudimentary ranging information fromat least one of said round-trip delay time and said RSSI.
 46. Thevehicle safety system according to claim 45, wherein: at least one of abraking system, an accelerator control, and a steering control are atleast one of enabled, disabled, and variably controlled based on saidrudimentary ranging information.